Sky broadband's sync speed has decreased

[Damo1888]

I've been with Sky Broadband since the end of May and the router has been syncing at just over 16mb, until recently. For the past month or so, the sync speed is going no higher than 14.5mb. Nothing at all has changed with regards to my setup.

I rang Sky to be told that I'm getting the maximum possible speed for my line (14.5mb). If this is the case, then why was I getting over 16mb for about 4 months solid?

[Isitme]

Post your stats please-
How to get your router statistics

It is possible you have a fault on your line or it is just suffering from general degrading.

[Damo1888]

Connection Speed 14593 kbps 1142 kbps
Line Attenuation 29.5 dB 17.4 dB
Noise Margin 7.1 dB 8.8 dB

[Isitme]

That looks OK. Sky are correct in that you are getting as much as possible. As I said you may have a fault or the line has degraded. If you have one, plug into the Test socket and post your stats from there, use only the ADSL cable supplied by Sky.
How to test your ADSL in the Master Test Socket

[Damo1888]

I've recently noticed that my current line attenuation is 29.5db, whereas it used to be 27db when I was getting 15.5-16mb. Is this why my speed has decreased?

I've got a new faceplate fitted and it's a new flat, so the chances of it being the wiring is relatively slim. I've also tried the test socket and am getting the exact same speeds.

Can this attenuation be changed on Sky's end? I wasn't getting any disconnections when the attenuation was at 27db, so I'd like to get it changed, if at all possible.

[IWasNotTheEnemy]

"new flat..."

That could very well be the issue. New builds tend to have inferior wiring to save costs. Fine at first, troublesome later on

[Damo1888]

"new flat..."

That could very well be the issue. New builds tend to have inferior wiring to save costs. Fine at first, troublesome later on

A neighbour across the hall is also on Sky (and have been a customer for almost a year longer than me) and they're getting 16mb downstream, 1.1mb upstream. I was also with O2 Broadband for a year and got a constant 16mb downstream speed.

I, personally, don't think it's a problem with the flat's wiring at all. So, is it possible for the attenuation to be altered in any way if I was to ring Sky?

[Isitme]

Can this attenuation be changed on Sky's end? I wasn't getting any disconnections when the attenuation was at 27db, so I'd like to get it changed, if at all possible.

No the attenuation is a measurement of the condition of the line and its length. The only way it can be changed is by shortening it, very unlikely, or by improving its condition, possible, but not easy to attain, unless there is a fault on the line.

I've also tried the test socket and am getting the exact same speeds.

You will as your line will be capped to give its best performance. What you want to see is an increase in your noise margin.

[Damo1888]

No the attenuation is a measurement of the condition of the line and its length. The only way it can be changed is by shortening it, very unlikely, or by improving its condition, possible, but not easy to attain, unless there is a fault on the line.

You will as your line will be capped to give its best performance. What you want to see is an increase in your noise margin.

Thanks for clarifying that it's a line issue. What could have happened, quality wise, that's made the attenuation go from 27db to 29.5db?

[Isitme]

When was the attenuation 27db? If this was soon after you were activated, it would be because you were on ADSL1, being moved to ADSL2+ would increase the attenuation by 1-3db. If it was after DLM completed then there is possibly a fault in your line somewhere. This is difficult to get fixed if your voice line is OK.

Have you checked your Test socket again?